TUESDAY May 23, 2017

Continue God’s Work

Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and wedid not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work. - Nehemiah 5:16

Nehemiah feared the Lord and did not live off the people, he used his own resources. Instead of taking from the people he gave of himself to the people. His focus was on the needs of the people, on their welfare and not himself. As their leader, he set a good example and continued to work alongside them.

Jesus is always interested in the people needs. When Jesus came to Capernaum, He looked out among the multitudes and was moved with compassion. He saw people who were, weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36). When Jesus came from heaven to earth; He came to serve mankind. He came to give and not take. The Lord was among the people, teaching, preaching and healing the sick.

Later, James and John asked the Lord if they could to sit next to Him in His glory––in heaven, Mark 10:37, which displeased the other disciples. Jesus called the disciples to Himself and explained about servanthood:

 “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”(Mark 10:420-45).

Jesus taught his disciples contrary to their thinking and showed them through His example how they were to continue the work of the ministry. They needed to place the people’s needs above their own. They were not to become great for their own benefit, but to serve the people in humility.

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
~Acts 20:35~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!